Better Handlebars for My Hybrid?

[wackyjacky1]

I have a Trek 7.2 FX WSD that I bought to re-acquaint myself with cycling and for all-purpose riding and commuting. I really love this bike -- it's lightweight and handles well. But I find that I'm not a huge fan of the straight MTB-style handlebars (Bontrager Crowbar). My hands get tired of being in the same position all the time. I thought about drop bars, but a) they might look funky on this particular bike, and b) I'd have to change up the shifters (too much trouble, methinks).

Do any of you have any suggestions that would give me a little bit more variety of hand position? Bar ends?

TIA! :)

[Melalvai]

I got Trekking Bars (as far as I know, available only from Nashbar?) which I like a lot. Lately I've been looking longingly at albatross bars, though.

[conurejade]

Do any of you have any suggestions that would give me a little bit more variety of hand position? Bar ends?

I got a used titanium flatbar that I like much better than the Bontrager crowbar; I also use Cane Creek Ergo II Bar Ends and they are great.

[Geonz]

Moustache handlebars are sweet, too.

http://fixedgearcycling.blogspot.com/2005/03/moustache-handlebars.html (snork... you can't right click on a mac... so I don't know how to 'save image location.' It's a Mac. It's suposed to be intuitive... so if you don't know, you're simply not worthy of it.)

I like the grips on my Dahon - they are much more ergonomic than regular ones. http://brandscycle.com/merchant/278/images/small/ergogrips_lg.jpg

[KnottedYet]

I have moustache bars on my utility bike. ($20 from Nashbar) LOVE them for commuting, and they are comfy for longer rides too. I like moving my hands up to the "front" like a mtb bar position to brake, very stable braking grip. The swept back bits are very comfortable for climbing and just riding along.

I also like that I never have to let go of the bars to change position/brake/shift, I just slide my hands along the bar.

[wackyjacky1]

Those moustache handlebars are cool! But I think I'd have to change up too much gear in order to switch over to them (brake levers, shifters).

The Cane Creek bar ends look really nice -- I'll prolly go that route because that's the easiest fix. The trekking bars look pretty cool, too, though...

[Blueberry]

I really like the Bike Friday H bars. http://store.bikefriday.com/popup_image.php?pID=7867&osCsid=27a043d64529f1a6e53731a6
They're designed to be packable (so they split), but this does not interfere with their use on a regular bike. DH has them on his Trek 730. We chose to change out the shifters, and he kept the same brakes.

Just another option:)

CA

[KathiCville]

The straight handlebar on my road bike was driving me crazy because of the lack of hand position options. My hands were going numb, my forearms were screamin' at me, and my shoulders ached like crazy.:(........During a terrific fitting session this past weekend, my straight bar was changed out for a riser bar AND very long bar ends. The difference in comfort is amazing! The riser bar looks a little dorky, I'll cheerfully admit, but the fitter's philosophy is to get me comfortable on the bike first, let me build up my strength, and then move me to a lower, more traditional handlebar when I've got the core and arm strength to feel at ease. Works for me!

After changing out the handlebar, we added long Boxer bar ends to give me loads of space for moving my hands around. The shorter Brief version would have worked well, too, I think.......Check out this link for some of the bar ends that might work for you, if you decide to explore that option. The two I just mentioned are on this page, along with several other possibilities:

http://pasadenacyclery.com/itemlist.cfm?category=176

Good luck!

[emily_in_nc]

I really like the Bike Friday H bars. http://store.bikefriday.com/popup_image.php?pID=7867&osCsid=27a043d64529f1a6e53731a6
They're designed to be packable (so they split), but this does not interfere with their use on a regular bike. DH has them on his Trek 730. We chose to change out the shifters, and he kept the same brakes.

I think they're cool too -- but aren't they awfully wide? When I was building my Bike Friday, I looked at them, but I decided they would only work for a guy or a woman with wide shoulders. I ride 38 cm road bars, so I figured they'd hurt my shoulders. Not sure what size wackyjacky is, but just something to consider...

Emily

[Blueberry]

Hmmm.....interesting, Emily.

I actually find the ones DH has to be a little narrow for me. They're the same width as his drop bars (ISTR), but they come in 46, 48 and 49. I just measured the H-Bars - the width is at the very bottom - so the actual hand positions are all quite a bit further in. I don't think they'd size like "normal" bars.

CA

[Blueberry]

I got a used titanium flatbar that I like much better than the Bontrager crowbar; I also use Cane Creek Ergo II Bar Ends and they are great.

Where did you get your bento box??? It's awesome!!!!

[conurejade]

Where did you get your bento box??? It's awesome!!!!

Just the judicious addition of some appliques to a stock bento box; glad you like it. I'll post pics as soon as I get them of the one I just finished for my new road bike - It has pink and purple parrot buttons on it! :D

Hey, a girl's got to accessorize.

[KnottedYet]

I miss my parrot.... :(

[OakLeaf]

you can't right click on a mac... so I don't know how to 'save image location.'

control-click

one of the few things you use the control key for :cool:

[conurejade]

I miss my parrot.... :(

I have 4 - and I can't imagine being without them.

BTW - for anyone who saw the first bento box - here's the under-seat bag for my roadie. Just gotta love those parrots!

[wackyjacky1]

Now that I've taken some time to think it over, I'm really leaning toward those moustache bars...but what are your opinions on how this bike would look with regular drop handlebars:

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc71/wackyjacky1/72fxwsd_lightblue.jpg

I'm still undecided about which way to go...all I know is I reeallly don't like the current bars! :)

[KnottedYet]

It would look fine. Very "cyclocross"-esque. ;)

[wackyjacky1]

Yeah, I think I'm gonna go for it. I guess I'll discuss with my bike shop about my options for brake levers/shifters.

[KnottedYet]

Dedicated brake levers (and there are different kinds for brakes that require longer pull) and bar-end shifters are a nice way to go.

Cheaper, and ever so adjustable!

[wackyjacky1]

I am completely unfamiliar with bar end shifters, never used 'em before. There's a part of my mind that thinks they look awkward to use. It's one of the reasons I haven't fully embraced the moustache bars (even tho I think the moustache bar looks killer). I wonder if any other bar end shifter users could chime in about their experiences with them?

Inexpensive is good -- I love this bike, but it's not one I want to drop a big chunk of change on for upgrades. In a year or so I hope to treat myself to a nice road bike, if I feel I've earned it.

If I go moustache, I haven't decided if I should go low-budget (and heavy) with Nashbar, or high-cost (and lighter weight) with Rivendell. I think I could get some good drops for less than the Rivendell moustache.

[KnottedYet]

You can get the Nitto moustache other places cheaper than at Rivendell. The Nitto version is the one Grant Peterson (the Riv dude) designed, same as on the Bridgestone bike he designed.

I had bar ends on my drop bars (before I switched to moustaches). Off the top of my head, BleeckerStGirl has them on her drop bar Rambouillet. I know there are a couple others with Shimano barcons, but they'll have to come out of the woodwork. Oh, BikerHen has them on the drop bars of her Surly Long Haul Trucker.

(of course, I'll remember 2 or 3 more as soon as I hit the "submit" button! :D)

[wackyjacky1]

Thanks so much for the info and advice! I'm going to look into the Nitto bars and talk to my bike shop on Monday. :)